New Canon Laser Pushes Duplex and Network Features

Canon's imageClass MF4270 offers 21ppm and color scanning with the economy of a single-consumable.

Canon U.S.A. announced on Aug. 6 the imageClass MF4270, a sub-$300 monochrome laser-based multi-function printer intended for use in small, home and branch offices.
The MF4270 is the newest addition to the companys imageClass line of laser MFPs, and one of Canons smallest MFPs.
Features of the MF4270, according to a Canon spokesperson, include duplex capabilities that allow users to print, fax and copy on both sides of a sheet of paper; a 35-sheet ADF (automatic document feeder); printing and copying letter-sized output with up to 1200-by-600-dot-per-inch resolution, at up to 21 pages per minute; and 24-bit color scans through the platen glass or the ADF at an interpolated resolution of up to 9600 dots per inch.

The device uses a 250-sheet front-loading paper cassette. Letter-sized copying can be done on the platen glass or with the ADF; the ADF can also handle 8.5-by-14 paper.

"Features like duplexing, fast warm-up and printing, the small footprint, one-consumable, and networking have been very popular with customers of our other models, like the MF4150 [$249], which is like the MF4270 except without networking, and the MF4690 [$399], which has a send function that can e-mail documents or copy them to a USB drive without needing a separate computer," the Canon spokesperson said.
"In keeping with the current trend for entry-level monochrome MFPs, Canons new product offers increased functionality at a relatively low acquisition cost in a very compact package," says Marlene Orr, an analyst at Buyers Laboratory. "The imageClass MF4270 is one of only a few models at this price point to offer a standard network interface and automatic duplexing."
Fax features on the MF4270, based on a 33.6K bps Super G3 modem, include PC faxing, a 256-page memory capacity, eight one-touch speed dial numbers, and 100 coded speed dial numbers. A 10/100BaseT network jack provides network connectivity.
For consumables, the imageClass MF4270 uses the Canon Single Cartridge System, which combines both toner and drum.
The imageClass MF4270 will begin shipping to retailers and channel outlets in September, with a price of $299.
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